It’s All About People (Still)
Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. – 1 Thessalonians 2:8b (NIV)
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. -2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)
Today (January 20, 2020) is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A day for remembering and honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Yesterday was ‘Sanctity of Life Sunday’. A day in which we are to focus on ending abortion and remember its victims living and dead. In mentioning both of these commemorative days, I am sure that some strong emotions are invoked in most of us. Sadly, for so many, the first direction into which those emotions flow is politics. Race and racial equality is not first and foremost a political matter. Abortion and protecting the sanctity of human life is not first and foremost a political matter. But try to convince almost any group, and maybe especially a group of Christians of that viewpoint and there will be pushback.
Do I mean that there is no political side to these issues, “No.” What I am trying to help us see is what Paul brings home so strongly on almost every page of his letters to local churches and church leaders: it’s all about people. Our faith has been pulled into a number of strange contortions in Christianity’s 2,000 plus years. And the interplay of faith and political power has often done very unhelpful things for both the church and the state. But, the key corrective to these forces is not to align with a new or opposite politic. Rather the key is to keep the focus on people. Let me share some personal examples that might help you to understand what I am asking of us.
Like most Anglo, conservative, Evangelicals I considered myself to be ‘color blind’. That is to say that I felt ‘beyond’ the issue of racism. But, then I met a dear friend, an African American, brother in Jesus, who was gracious enough to have honest and sometimes awkward conversations about the issues of race and racism. God kindly opened my eyes to these matters in new ways. And, race and racism have become more about people and my relationship to people of diverse racial backgrounds than a matter of politics. Has my ideology shifted on these matters? Maybe slightly but, I pray my methodology has shifted dramatically. To be against racism is fine. To have redemptive relationships with minorities is far better though because, it’s all about people (still).
Abortion and the plight of children has long been close to my heart. I knew the right answer on this issue and was proud that I did. God graciously has exposed me to abortion survivors, teen moms, birth moms, adoptees and adoptive parents and families. Being Pro-Life is correct. Being a friend to someone who bears the scars of having made a choice to abort a child is hard and redemptive. Helping a teen mom navigate the myriad of difficulties that enter her life because she choose life for her baby is hard, but redemptive. Seeing the mess that adoption and foster parenting is up close and personal is hard, but redemptive. I am pro-life. God helping me, I will continue to make that a personal relational issue and not merely a political one.
Here is how this fits with Ephesians 6:19-24: relationships are at the core of the Gospel and the Kingdom of Jesus. Ambassadors go from one country to another to forge the relational, in-person bridge between cultures and political power structures. We are Gospel ambassadors, we serve the King of kings. We are to forge the in-person bridges over which the good news of Jesus’ reconciliation can walk. We are to love people over and above political parties or candidates. At their core, both “Sanctity of Life Sunday” and “Martin Luther King Jr. Day” are to be about people. Our work is for Kingdom advancement as ambassadors. The method of evangelism modeled by Jesus and all the Apostles was relational. The church of Jesus, when at its best, has been about people and their relationship to God. So, while days to commemorate people and causes are good, our primary focus must be relationship. Because, after all, its’ all about people (still).
For personal reflection: How has God used people (or maybe a person) to help you grow in: coming to know Jesus in a life-transforming way? following Jesus? How will this change your approach in helping others to grow in their relationship with Jesus?
For WEDnesday Discussion:
Prayer-less-ness is pride. Prayer-full-ness is humility. How are we doing as a church in making prayer a priority? How can we do better?
We are to pray in the Spirit for ourselves and for one another. When do you feel that you have been able to do this well? How does praying ‘in the Spirit’ change your priorities in prayer? What is most challenging for you in letting God shape your priorities for prayer?
We are ambassadors of Christ’s Kingdom. What have been effective methods for you to forge, in person bridges for the Gospel? What are the biggest hurdles to forging the relational bridges/having Gospel conversations with lost people?
God in Jesus gives us an incorruptible love. How have you experienced Jesus’ incorruptible love? What can you do to share that love with others?